Chuck enters the apartment, where Ellie's lying on the couch. He apologizes for missing the dinner, saying he got stuck at work (literally). She says Sarah told her. Then she tells him she's never been one of those wedding dreamer girls. She never imagined what she'd wear or who she'd marry or any of that, but one thing was always clear: their dad would walk her down the aisle. She says she knows it won't happen, but it's really hard to let go of it, and she cries on Chuck's shoulder. He goes to his room and digs a birthday card out of a box. It has a phone number for their dad, but when Chuck calls he finds out that number's not in service. He goes back to the kitchen and tells Ellie that their dad is going to walk her down the aisle. She says he can't say that, since they haven't heard from him in a long time. He says he'll find him, because he's smart and he can do that. He guarantees her their dad will make it. I was confused by this, because I couldn't remember what happened to their dad; I was thinking their parents died or something, but looking at Couch Baron's weecap of the Mother's Day episode from last season, I remembered that their mom left on the day they now call "Mother's Day," and their dad was there, but not really there. I think that's all we know as of now, so I'm excited to see where this goes. I like that Ellie's being brought in to one of the ongoing storylines. And I can't wait to see who they cast as the Bartowski dad.

Next week: Someone's dad shows up, but it's not Chuck and Ellie's. It's Sarah's. You know: The con man! And even better: He's played by Gary Cole. He's still conning, and Sarah's stressed out.

DeAnn is a writer and editor in Portland, Oregon. You can contact her at

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